RANSACK Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

ransack

verb

ˈran-ˌsak

Definition of ransack

as in to plunder

to search through with the intent of committing robbery it was clear that the thieves who had ransacked the museum were professionals—they bypassed most of the exhibits and went straight for the vaults

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to search

to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something I've ransacked the whole house for that book you lent me and it's nowhere to be found

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ransack Two months later, local media reported that at least a dozen people ransacked another of the company’s trains. — Kiel Porter, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 An extended statewide drought, hot and windy weather, and forests ransacked by pine beetles persist, making conditions ripe for fires. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026 But mostly that has been replaced with different games or drawings or pissing contests so that everyone doesn’t just ransack the house for the best room. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026 But, rather than vandalizing the corporate website, or holding valuable data for ransom—actions typical of human hackers—the adversary began ransacking the company’s servers in search of an answer key for a list of test questions. — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ransack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransack

Verb

In the sixties, artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Peter Saul had plundered lowbrow visual culture for elemental materials.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
In fact, plundering England’s lower leagues is a rich source of unique goals, from Ballard’s spectacular effort to this cheeky one from Crewe Alexandra striker Josh March in their 1-0 League Two win over Northampton on Saturday.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of plunder

Verb

That led Cramer to search for companies that could benefit from lower oil prices while offering downside protection through a sizable dividend.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
In July, Indigenous leaders in neighboring Brazil sought government protection after five men carrying machine guns entered their territory, threatened families and searched for community leaders.

— Steven Grattan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of search

Verb

Most notable is how the Premier League’s most famous clubs increasingly pillage the internal market for reliable and proven talent, rather than taking bets on cheaper or further-flung bets from across the continent or beyond.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
These targets include the personal business interests of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials, as well as the energy infrastructure that allows these leaders to pillage state revenues as a source of personal wealth.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillage

Verb

Much of that is because of Bowers, arguably the most talented tight end league-wide, but also because Mayer has found success in Kubiak’s heavy sets, and Thomas continues to provide value as a blocker.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Red walls, heavy draperies with swags and fringe, and jacquard fabrics with gold accents could be found in many homes.

— Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of find

Verb

Craig was sacked three times and once UNC started keying on the run, the Horned Frogs struggled to match the Tar Heels’ physicality.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
In a real game, Bryce Young would have been sacked at least a half-dozen times and probably more.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of sack

Verb

Police say the home was looted of items that included artwork, jewelry, electronics and business documents.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Russian forces have routinely looted Ukrainian cultural objects during the course of the war, which has been going on for over four years.

— News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of loot

Verb

One looks to the story of the Haitian World Cup team, appearing in the tournament for the first time in fifty years, which has gathered expatriate players from the Haitian diaspora to play for that beautiful and utterly despoiled country, where many of them have never lived.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
In the 21st century, oil extraction has become a serious threat to Ecuadoran Amazonia, with large swaths of forest, often located in Indigenous territories, despoiled by the release of wastewater from the wells.

— Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Definition of despoil

Verb

Thieves on Thursday raided the Treasure of Villena -- one of the greatest Bronze Age gold collections -- at a museum in the Spanish city of Villena, taking most of the 50-plus mainly gold bracelets, bowls, bottles and other items on display.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Mundubile, who rejected the election result as neither free nor fair, had been in hiding since security forces raided his Lusaka home during the election period.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of raid

Browse Nearby Words

ran riot

ransack

ransacked

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“Ransack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransack. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ransack

verb

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